Access All Areas – Top Model UK and Worldwide

Two evenings of glamour, beauty, high fashion and top models in one room could only mean one thing – the Grand Finals of Top Model UK and Worldwide. UK finalists took to the runway in three different rounds at The Hilton Metropole Hotel, London on Friday 12th April whilst the Worldwide Grand Finalists ruled the ramp on Saturday 13th April. I speak with renowned fashion designer and one of the judges of the Top Model competition Omar Mansoor and two of the finalists to get the inside scoop about this years competitions!

Top Model UK finalist Amandeep Dhami (pictured below) explains that she feels immensely proud to have taken part in a competition as big as TMUK and to have reached the final stage. Experiencing a competition for the first time, and on such a large scale, Amandeep explains: ‘the Top Model team were brilliant and extremely organised. They provided us with a handbook which gave us details of everything we needed to do before the finals, such as what to bring to the show, what to wear etc.’ When asked about her experience on stage, she explains: ‘it was a dream. I have previous catwalk experience so I put all of my confidence, experience and passion into my walk. I felt alive like a showstopper. I wanted people to remember me!’

Amandeep states that partaking in Top Model has boosted her confidence and encouraged her to pursue her passion for modelling. Her next step is to continue working in high fashion modelling.

Top Model Worldwide Finals

Bruja Estrella Howe (pictured above) says that it feels ‘awesome’ to have been a runner-up of Top Model Worldwide and winner of the ‘self style’ category. She explains: ‘I put a lot of work into it so for my work to be recognized is a privilege and I’m thankful for all of the Top Model team for their guidance and support. To get any award in a competition so big is such an achievement.’

‘I was in a category full of girls. Girls when they are together are the most crazy and fun. I like crazy and fun. Also, I have learnt a lot from the Top Model team; their years of experience in the industry and their honest approach gives you the best guidance you could ask for. For me their one-on-one personal approach provides you with comfort, confidence and ease which can sometimes be lost in this industry.’

Bruja explains what was going through her mind while she was on the runway: ‘I am confident and that runway is mine. Everybody is nobody and even if they are somebody they are a body, a human just like everybody else, and no body is better than any body. They are just like me.’

Since the competition, Bruja has landed a shoot with Luna Sky who has featured in Vogue, In Style, Fashion TV, and many more.

One of the judges of the competition was renowned fashion designer Omar Mansoor. He tells me that it was an immense pleasure to be one of the judges for the prestigious Top Model competition. When explaining what he was looking for in the winning model, Omar explains that he was looking for more than just a pretty face. ‘I was looking for a model who is confident, has a great personality and excellent body language – someone who carries herself with an aura that exudes style, grace and health.’

But the final decision was not easy. ‘The participating girls had gone through a selection process which filters the best for the ramp, so selecting the winner and runner ups is not easy as there are a large number of contestants at the top competing very closely among each other.’

After gaining access to all areas of Top Model UK and Worldwide 2013, it seems that all of the participants were winners as they all learnt from the experience. And the after-party was something for us non-participants to remember too!

( < me pictured on the left at Top Model UK Grand Finals wearing dress from Jayes Boutique, Essex.)

All pictures featured in this blog post are courtesy of official TMUK/Worldwide photographer Colin Chau.